Published 12:00 am, Thursday, January 13, 2011

Brrrr! It definitely feels like Jack Frost blew in some colder temperatures for January, but for some reason, kids seem weather-resistant and enjoy the outdoors at all sorts of temperatures.

And when they've had enough, usually they arrive at the door with red and icy faces, and soggy and cold fingers and toes. It's then that they look for something warm and soothing to ease them back indoors.

I say "head to the kitchen," where you can stir up a sweet, warm cup of homemade hot chocolate that's certain to hit the spot; thaw faces, fingers and toes, and let the celebration of a winter day last just a little longer.

More Information

Homemade Instant Hot Chocolate

Makes 1 serving

1/4 cup nonfat dry milk

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons milk chocolate morsels

8 ounces hot water

Stir together the dry milk, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, sugar and morsels, and place them in a glass measuring cup. Heat the water to boiling and pour over the ingredients, filling the cup until the 8-ounce line. Stir until everything is dissolved.

Pour the hot chocolate into a serving mug and serve. You also can add mini marshmallows, marshmallow fluff or whipped topping for extra flavor if desired.

In addition, you can experiment with three great alternatives:

Replace the chocolate morsels with white chocolate morsels.

Exchange the vanilla extract with peppermint extract. The peppermint is stronger than vanilla, so you most likely will want to add less extract to your hot cocoa.